A/N : All OCs in this fanfic are produced by author and must request permission to use. The characters who appear in World of Warcraft belong to Blizzard.
Sorry Chapter 6 took so much time to complete! I have not given up on this story yet so please be patient! =) Enjoy!
World Of Warcraft
The Return of Windrunner
Chapter 6: Promised Promotion
[Light's Hope Chapel]
Tera drank and watched as the countless crimson armours of the Scarlet Crusade halted where the short battle took place. Leonid emerged amongst the few remaining Argent Dawn members, his dark yellow eyes fixed on Marjhan. The Scarlet Crusade Commander curiously stared back. Tera finished the last drop of his water before standing up and joining them.
"Korfax has fallen." Leonid informed.
"What?"
"He was defeated by the male Death Knight." The forsaken's voice was weak as ever.
"Be strong, Leonid. His soul will not be disturbed by the Scourge." Tera said as a consolation, but Leonid did not show any gratitude.
"I say we go on the offensive." Marjhan commented, folding her arms.
"How can you-"
"I am not asking your opinion, traitor." Just like that, Tera was interrupted. He did not bother answering back, and Marjhan looked to Leonid. "Leonid. You are in charge of the Argent Dawn for now." Leonid's eyes met the fiery gaze of the Scarlet Crusade Commander. "Are you prepared to unleash hell to those scum?"
"We... We need to re-establish the Chapel first." He said after a long pause. Marjhan frowned.
"The Scourge forces in this land are exhausted after their assault. If we attack them now-"
"TERA!" Everyone searched who had shouted the Paladin's name. A Forsaken was sprinting towards them. "TERA! WE MUST RETURN AT ONCE!!" It was Logis.
"Where in the Light's reach have you been?!" Tera scolded. But his disappointment was replaced by confusion instantly. Logis showed him his Hatestrike, with clear letters engraved in them. "Lady Sylvannas?" Leonid and Marjhan's eyes widened. "Was she in the battlefield?"
"I do not know. But when I came to, my Hatestrike was engraved, and there was this next to my sword."
"An amulet?" Everyone in this discussion was baffled. If Sylvannas was here, then they would have expected her to help them. Or, she could have gone to Stratholme to finish them off once and for all... that was impossible. The Lich King would find replacements almost instantly.
"We will head back to Undercity." Tera said, facing Leonid and the Scarlet Commander. "May the light guide you."
"I... appreciate what you have done in this battle." Leonid muttered and walked inside the chapel. Marjhan cursed, and started to move her forces back.
[Stratholme]
Fierce fighting between a demon and five others continued. With a shout, Garion swung his oversized sword horizontally, but Balnazzar took a step back to evade the blow, then stepped forward to kick the Death Knight.
"Watch out!" Shiho yelled out to Shoko, who transformed back from a tree in time to prevent Garion from flying any further. Garion 's facial expression showed how surprised he was at Shoko for stopping him flying in mid air.
"Go!" Was the final word she said to Garion before shapeshifting into a plant again. Garion sprinted towards the Dreadlord, with Libael doing the exact same but from the opposite direction. The Paladin's shield was launched towards the Dreadlord once again, but Balnazzar jumped. Which meant the shield was flying towards Garion. The Death Knight ducked and slid under the shield, and jumped to follow his target.
"This is it!" Balnazzar growled upon landing, and glared down at the shield-less Paladin. Libael's eyes widened, knowing full well he will not be able to dodge or block any attack the Dreadlord cast on him.
"Fireblast!" A huge explosion erupted on the demon. Libael, through the gap of vision his arms created, saw Balnazzar stagger for a slight moment.
"GARION!" He yelled, and everyone heard the sound the blade makes when it meets flesh. Everyone saw something fly out from the smoke of the explosion, and everyone heard the ear-splitting scream of the Dreadlord, and a clang.
"You fools!" The scream of agony stopped, and the smoke started to clear. "How dare you?! How dare you take one of my arms?!"
"Garion!!" Cellanda gasped, stopping her casting upon recognising what was going on. Heavy amount of purple blood was dripping on the black city's floor. The object which flew off out the smoke earlier was evidently Balnazzar's left arm, as the feared Dreadlord was limbless now. But with the remaining arm, the demon managed to grab Garion by the neck and held him up in the air. The Death Knight was trying his best to get some breathing gap between the demon's hand and his neck. However, with his Armageddon on the ground and out of reach, it was pointless. Shoko was the only one keeping him alive right now.
"He'll be dead soon." Said Balnazzar glaring down at Shoko. "And then it will be you first!" Garion's colour was draining quickly. Suddenly, was a flash of gold and a mace struck hard on the Dreadlord's waist. It was the Paladin, Libael. "Do you want to die first?!" Bellowed Balnazzar before kicking the Draenei, sending him flying. He did not even budge after that blow.
"Ice flows in my veins." Cellanda muttered, as quite as she could. "Let me absorb all the vapour in this atmosphere." Her eyes were fixed at Garion, hoping, no, praying that Garion would hold on for just a little longer. "Shiva is my chosen guardian." Libael once again, charged at the Dreadlord, cursing at it as best as he could. His armour started to glow gold.
"A Demon stands in my way. It must be purged!" He shouted, and a small ball of gold appeared just under the right arm of Balnazzar. "Exorcist!" With that word, the golden ball exploded. Balnazzar flinched, and realised the air was suddenly dropping in temperature. He turned to look at the Human Mage.
"Frostbolt! Ice Lance! Deep Freeze!" The Frostbolt and the Ice Lance was aimed at the arm holding Garion up. Upon contact, he was freed instantly and landed on the ground. Coughing and gagging for breath, he looked up. The demon was now being barraged with different arrows and spells from both Shiho and Cellanda. The Dreadlord was trying to cover himself to minimise the damage, but with one arm, it was evident that he was taking more than he had hoped for.
"You... SCUM!!" He shouted, and moved his wings back.
"SCATTER!!" Everyone in Cellanda's party moved away from the front of the Dreadlord. All except for Shiho. "Shiho!" Called out Cellanda, but there was no response. "SHIHO!!" There was still no reaction from Shiho. Then Cellanda realised and shrieked out of desperation. "Libael!!! It's a spell! Wake her up!!"
"Too late!" Balnazzar yelled, and swung his wings forward. Libael dispelled the sleep that was put on Shiho, but as the Dreadlord had said, there was not enough time for her to get out of the way now. Realising what was happening, Shiho was rooted, instant fear gripping her where she stood, as the black carrion swarm massed towards her. Asagi put herself before Shiho, but to no avail.
"SHIHO!!!" Cellanda and Garion shouted, fearing the worst.
[Undercity]
Tera and Logis both dismounted from their mounts and felt the cold stone of the city floor through their boots. The Rogue kept receiving odd glances from the residents and the guests of Undercity, since he had one of his swords engraved 'Sylvannas'. They took the quickest route to the entrance of Sylvannas' chamber.
"We request an urgent meeting with the Dark Lady."
"Her Vengefulness is not present." Answered the guard, after a quick questionable glance at both Tera and Logis. "She has decided to lead the Icecrown assault herself, and is currently in Northrend."
"We understand. Thank you." All three of the saluted at each other(heels together, legs straight, right fist on left chest, left arm straight at the side, head down.), and the Paladin and the Rogue turned to leave.
"We'll need to catch a Zeppelin. Our mounts will not have the stamina to cross continents." Logis informed, crossing over the bridge over the green gloating river. But Tera first had to go back to Silvermoon.
"Champion Bachi will be awaiting my return." The Paladin would have been more than happy to prioritise this journey to Northrend, but then their actions will have to be very discrete. "If you wish, you can go ahead with out me, then I will cat-"
"No. It will be faster to convince your Champion with the two of us." Logis replied. "I may be unreachable when you come to Northrend by yourself." Tera frowned. To him, this sounded that Logis was trying to tell him something else. Realising this, Logis decided to be more honest."First-timers will get lost."
"Right." Tera's reply was a little reluctunt in tone. "Let's go."
[Stratholme]
"SHIHO!!!" Cellanda and Garion shouted, fearing the worst. As they watched in terror, Asagi's roars started to turn into whimpers, and they started to hear Shiho's screams of agony admist all the crows singing happily at their meal.
"Shi..ho.." A weak voice beckoned. Shoko returned to her normal form and was staring at Shiho's mutilated corpse. "Sister..." Her eyes were expressing the shock of death itself. Garion and Libael were glaring with furious anger at the Dreadlord, and Cellanda shut her eyes tightly. "SHIHO!!!" Cried out Shoko, tears racing down her cheeks. She continued to sob relentlessly after collapsing onto the floor.
"There's still more to come, pathetic mortals!" Threatened Balnazzar, charging towards the group. Libael took his stance, and dodged the first slash from the demon. As he evaded the blow, he muttered a short verse.
"Light will grant me strength to oppose all that's unholy." With a sound of a heavy bell-chime, a gold flash emitted from Libael.
"What?" Balnazzar said, then grunted as he felt the effect of the Paladin's spell. He felt a sudden burst of holy energy that he staggered. Libael took this time cite another verse.
"With Light I will smite my enemies." The Draenei's mace instantly glowed bright gold, and with a shout that contained all his might, he struck the mace at the demon's stomach. Garion followed, his Armageddon glowing thick red, aiming to cut off Balnazzar's right leg.
"Enough!!" Bellowed the Dreadlord, and created a gush with his wings which blew both plate-wearers off balance. "This is where you will all die!" He raised his remaining hand, and the clouds above started to move into a spiral.
"STOP HIM!!" Garion yelled. "He's calling down an Infernal!" Just as he finished his sentence, a huge lance of ice penetrated Balnazzar's wrist. The Dreadlord howled in pain and fell to his knees. With no other hand to pull out the Ice Lance, all he could do was glare at it. A second later, a Frostfire Bolt cast by Cellanda hit the crater left by Libael's mace on Balnazzar's stomach plate.
"Cur...se... you..." Balnazzar was choking in pain. Never did he expect to lose an arm to a Death Knight. He thought the only one who could have and had humiliated him like this was Arthas. Never did he dream that he would be defeated by a Paladin, a Mage, a Druid, a Death Knight and a Hunter. "I am... the leader... of the Dreadlords..."
"Die!!" A bright green jolt of energy hit the demon, and everyone turned to look. "Die! Taste Elune's wrath and disappear!" Bright light shined on the demon, and Balnazzar cried out in pain again. "Rot in the Nether! Cursed Dreadlord! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!!!" Screamed Shoko, surprising everyone of her party. There was flash of white-blue almost every second. She was casting spell after spell after spell, which kept the non-casters from getting close to their target. Cellanda, after hesitating a little, started to cast her spells too. Each Starfall the Druid cast made a huge sounds of explosion. They could not hear the Dreadlord's scream anymore.
"Stop!" Cellanda yelled over the continuous bangs. "Shoko, Stop!" It was Garion who got to her first and grabbed her hands.
"That's enough." Garion whispered. Eventually, Shoko's anger in her eyes dissipated, and her breathing started to calm. She looked up at Garion and nodded. The Death Knight let go of her hands. Cellanda approached the motionless body of the demon, crumpled on the floor. He was still breathing, but Cellanda knew he did not have the strength to move.
"Curse... you... mortal..." Balnazzar croaked, his eyes fixed upon her although only half open. "Non of you... are even a Warlock... How...?" He managed, his breathing getting heavier.
"You underestimated them. They are no normal adversaries." Everyone who were able to spun round. "One of them was one of the best commanders of the Scourge, after all." Two figures were walking down towards the party. Rather, one was walking, and the other limping. Garion took his position and put his Armageddon before him.
"You!" The Dreadlord exclaimed, and as he did, Garion's eyes grew. The newly-arrived Death Knight threw something past Garion.
"Little Souvenir I brought you, demon." No answer came from Balnazzar, and everyone looked. Korfax's silver axe was deeply plunged through the middle of the Dreadlord's head. "It suits you well."
[Silvermoon City]
Tera entered the Farstrider's Square, and into the Paladins' halls. After a quick chat and introduction with Logis, Osselan led them to where Bachi was. He was talking to Inethven, a mage trainer. Tera approached the two elves.
"Ah, Tera." Bachi said, as the two figures bowed. "And... Sir Logis Meimos. Welcome." Bachi's voice showed enthusiasm, and Tera was taken aback.
"Lord champion, I have news from Eastern Plaguelands, where I encountered two Dea-"
"I understand the situation, young Paladin. Which is why I have been speaking to Inethven. You are hereby promoted, Tera Shel'dais." Bachi infromed. Tera, surprised with the sudden congratulation, regained himself and knelt. "You are now a Paladin, sworn to serve Silvermoon as a Blood Knight. May the Light guide you."
"Thank you, Lord Champion." Logis silently watched as Tera got back up to face his superior.
"The proper ceremony will have to wait." The Mage trainer said, grasping everyone's attention. "The Dark Lady seems to have left Undercity and is on her way to Icecrown Citadel."
"Yes..." Bachi glanced over to Tera. "Tera Shel'dais. Your first task as an Elite Paladin will be to accompany a very powerful individual." Inethven instantly protested.
"Bachi. Are you sure this is a good idea?" He questioned, now analysing the newly promoted Paladin as he spoke. "You, have you ever been to the Great North before?"
"No." Tera replied, still too confused to actually recognise the questioning of his abilities.
"Bachi, I suggest you reconsider." The Mage demanded, but Bachi shook his head.
"I have watched both of them grow and gain experience although in different times. Tera is more than capable to handle this task." Tera could not resist the query that was inside his head any more.
"Lord Champion, who is this... individual?" The young blood elf's curiosity ended with another blood elf joining them.
"It has been a while, Lord Champion Bachi." This newly arrived female elf made the atmosphere somewhat heavy. Tera had a glimpse of her face before she knelt. She had almost shiny golden hair, burning green eyes, which made her look unique from other blood elves. As she got up, Tera could see that this blood elf was not ordinary, since even though her figure was small, she could see many signs of wounds on her face, arms, and legs. Her armour, was white plates with gold borders, and her blindingly white cape fell down to the floor.
Logis stared at this female. He felt an uneasy something sourcing from her. Tera noticed that she did not carry a shield, but he did not find her carrying a two-handed weapon either. The only weapon he found on her was a sword, thick and curved, with a split down the middle. Tera could see that it was emitting turquoise aura, and the hilt had frozen blades below the handle. The blade itself looked very powerful, incomparable to any other swords Tera had ever seen anyone carry. Maybe it was the sword creating this heavy atmosphere.
"I can sense your magic has increased." Bachi greeted the female blood elf, smiling. "How is your preparation?"
"I am ready to depart anytime." She replied, glancing over to Tera and Logis.
"Apparently Lord Bachi here wants this Paladin to escort you to Northrend." Inethven mumbled. He was not satisfied at all by Bachi's judgement. He saw the promotion happen, right where they were, and now this newly protmoted Paladin was the one responsible for this important task. After a short stare at Tera, she approached the young Paladin and held out her hand.
"Ashali Shu'rulis. Blood Knight and Crimson Magi. Pleased to meet you." Tera could not believe what he had just heard. Blood Knights were Silvermoon's answer to Silver Hand of the Alliance after Prince Kael'thas led them to the Horde. They were the elite Paladins of Silvermoon to counter the Dwarven, Human, and Draenei Paladins. Becoming a Blood Knight is covers a long process of completing countless tasks in both Azeroth and Outlands, and after becoming one, one is to devote oneself to endless battlefields to lead Silvermoon to victory.
The Crimson Magi were the Blood Knight equivalents of the Mages in Silvermoon. "Er.... Hello?" Tera woke up instantly. Without further hesitation, he shook her hand. He felt radiant energy flowing to his from her hand.
"Tera... Tera Sheldais. Blood Knight."